Tri-Ace's trademark franchise has consistently offered up some of the best RPGs on the market, however it has always fallen short of mainstream status. Its latest release for the 360 may be its "Last Hope" to win the hearts and minds of the North American market. (editor's note: I C what U did there)
While not the crown jewel of the series it represents well in it's the first non PS exclusive release.

The Last Hope continues the Sci-Fi epic adventure premise we have become accustomed to. As if to not alienate its new market the plot is of the prequel variety. Very little knowledge of the other games is needed to fully enjoy the campaign.

You take the role of "Edge Maverick" a young member of the Space Reconnaissance Force in his quest to save humankind from...itself. Earth is in shambles after a great war and it's up to you and your faithful crew to find a suitable world to colonize. Needless to say it's not the most original plot the series has produced. Similarly unlike it's predecessors Edge and crew are equally generic. Only one of two characters managed to endear themselves to me at all when deep character development has always been a staple of the franchise. Originality aside there is enough quality writing and plot twists to keep you engrossed and moving forward.

While the game is more polished than some its peers there are some key factors holding it back. One being the sub par voice over performances and lip syncing. While not "Infinite Undiscovery" abysmal, it's certainly bad enough to shake your head at. I also found the character models fairly doll-like and lifeless. This was a relatively small problem for me as the graphics overall are smooth and impressive. All the areas were attractive and vibrant and the attention to detail is easy to see. I just wish the characters received the same treatment.

So now for the games bread and butter. Mechanically this game is very sound. The battle system is one of the most engaging and addictive offerings in years; like previous games, it's real-time combo chaining excitement. Battles are fast and furious and some boss fights got so intense during the campaign my hands started to shake from adrenaline overload. It never gets boring and being able to switch between the diverse cast of fighting styles spices things up immensely. For once we actually see good innovations on a established system as well. Character progression also continues well past level 70. There are plenty of abilities, spells and equipment to grind out till your head spins if that's your preference.

In conclusion, TLH is a solid entry to the series with fantastic combat and loads of side quests and additional content to keep you busy indefinitely. While somewhat "stale" and predictable compared to previous titles it's still a Sci-Fi epic worthy of a place on your shelf.

The breaks...

Graphics: 8.5/10 - Very solid graphics. Slight issues with the character models.

Sound: 8/10 - Great soundtrack. Poor voice acting for most of the cast.

Gameplay: 9.5/10 - Good controls, user friendly menu's and a stellar battle system

Replayability: 7.5/10 - Plenty to do and see for the hardcore gamer but not enough beyond higher difficulty to sustain multiple trips.

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